In Exodus, God commands Moses to strike a rock, and promises to make water flow in the desert for the people. Later on, God tells Moses to speak to a rock, promising to make water flow in the desert again. However, Moses strikes the rock again instead of speaking to it. Because of just this one thing, God tells Moses that he will no longer be permitted bring the people into the Promised Land.

Why was the punishment so harsh for what seems like a small infraction? Was there something greater or more symbolic going on here?

Exodus 17:6 ESV
Behold, I will stand before you there on the rock at Horeb, and you
shall strike the rock, and water shall come out of it, and the people
will drink.” And Moses did so, in the sight of the elders of Israel.

Numbers 20:8-12 ESV
“Take the staff, and assemble the congregation, you and Aaron your
brother, and tell the rock before their eyes to yield its water.
So you shall bring water out of the rock for them and give drink to
the congregation and their cattle.” 9 And Moses took the staff from
before the Lord, as he commanded him. 10 Then Moses and Aaron gathered
the assembly together before the rock, and he said to them, “Hear now,
you rebels: shall we bring water for you out of this rock?” 11 And
Moses lifted up his hand and struck the rock with his staff twice,
and water came out abundantly, and the congregation drank, and their
livestock. 12 And the Lord said to Moses and Aaron, “Because you did
not believe in me, to uphold me as holy in the eyes of the people of
Israel, therefore you shall not bring this assembly into the land
that I have given them.”

13 Answers
13

Like the forefathers of those who eventually ended up in the Promised Land, Moses's problem was that he failed to trust in God. In chapter 12 of Numbers, Aaron and Miriam oppose Moses as God's messenger and their leader. As a result, they also are refused entry to the land (by death, like Moses).

Moses' problem wasn't that he misinterpreted God or thought that since he'd hit the rock before that it was okay to do it again. Rather, Moses was utterly rejecting God and trying to take control.

Moses was violent. He struck the rock twice when God just said to speak to it.

Moses was usurping God's place. He said to the people, "hear now, you rebels: shall we bring water for you out of this rock?" The emphasis is technically mine, but it was already there. Moses didn't say "God will bring water out of this rock for you." He (with Aaron, evidently) took God's place and assured them that he would do it for them.

Verse 12 is pretty revealing as to the nature of Moses's crime:

"Because you did not believe in me," (emphasis mine)

Moses totally failed to trust God for the life-supplying water. He tried to take matters into his own hands. He was supposed the be the leader, but also the servant of God. He tried to usurp God's place.

Additionally, I think there might be some symbolism to the rock. Back in Exodus 17, God tells Moses

"Behold, I will stand before you there on the rock at Horeb, and you
shall strike the rock, and water shall come out of it, and the people
will drink" Ex. 17:6

To quote my study bible notes on this, "An astonishing statement. In this trial God takes the place of the accused, standing in the dock."

1 Corinthians 10:4 explains that "the Rock was Christ." In striking the Rock, Moses was striking God for the people. Christ was punished for the nourishment of his people.

Back to Numbers, it seems that maybe the situation is similar here. God has provided a rock (Christ) that will bring forth water (salvation) for his people. This is somewhat speculative, but it seems that this time, Moses is in the position of the people. He's supposed to ask God for salvation, to request the water from the rock. But instead, he takes up his previous position as judge, and strikes the rock (Christ). Before, he was commanded to. This time, he willingly strikes his Savior.

It's interesting to note, in support of that theory, that the Hebrew word used for "strike" is the same in both cases (link), and the words for rock are quite similar (Numbers word & Exodus. word)

Ultimately of course, it's because Moses did not believe that God could bring the water out of the rock, and hit it himself. (perhaps he was trying to knock loose rocks to open up a stream, or he thought that his staff held some special Mosaic power - either way, he thought he was the key to the equation)

I used my study bible a good deal on this one, the ESV Reformation Study Bible by Ligonier

I am a little surprised that no one brought out James 3:1--that teachers will be judged more strictly--or Matt. 5:48--that perfection is the standard--and Lev. 11:45--be holy because I am holy (perhaps particularly significant in context of "you did not believe in me, to uphold me as holy"--personal holiness as witness to Divine holiness, the contrary a form of blasphemy--"in the eyes of the people"--addressing a leader/teacher). The explanations of the offence are very good, but it seemed that adding such would also address the harshness a little more.
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Paul A. ClaytonDec 6 '12 at 22:36

Christ the Rock, was struck (crucified) once, thereafter we speak to or pray to the eternal Rock, Jesus Christ.
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RickSep 10 '13 at 17:51

This reminds me of Heb 6:4-8, which talks about those who have "the goodness of the word of God", and then fallen away. That passage doesn't directly match what you've said, but it's 'intuitively close', in the sense that the continued striking is the really bad thing. But after the one strike, the Word must take over; if [godly] language doesn't replace physical force, somehow hope of salvation is lost, or at least hope of 'better' this side of the afterlife is lost (see Moses at the Transfiguration, per a comment below). Maybe you'll be able to do something with this vague connection. :-/
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labreuerMay 23 '14 at 16:15

And the Lord said to Moses and Aaron, “Because you did not believe
in me, to uphold me as holy in the eyes of the people of Israel,
therefore you shall not bring this assembly into the land that I have
given them.”

It's a classic example of lack of faith. God tells Moses to do something that doesn't sound reasonable to him, so he decides "no, that'll never work" and do something that he thinks would work better, such as striking the rock to get water out of it.

The section you quote contains the answer: because Moses did not believe. He was told to "tell the rock... to yield its water" but instead he struck the rock twice, apparently believing God's command to be insufficient. He expected God to act in exactly the same way as He had before*, but God apparently wanted to reveal His power to Moses in a new way.

As the leader, Moses was being watched. When Moses did not believe, this could easily lead to lack of belief amongst the Israelites, which had been a problem before.

It doesn't seem like the problem was that he struck it twice - it was that he struck it at all. God didn't even tell him to strike the rock once - that was a different occasion. He said to "tell the rock before their eyes to yield its water"
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EricApr 3 '12 at 23:52

@Eric: thanks, I have corrected my answer. (This is what happens when I answer from memory instead of checking my facts...)
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WikisApr 4 '12 at 10:48

Christ is the main subject in the Old Testament "concealed". God speaks of Him in types and shadows. At Rephidim (Exodus 17:4) God told Moses to strike the Rock.The Rock is Christ (1st Corinthians 10:4), Moses represents the Law. Jesus was struck by Israel for presuming to violate the Law, for claiming to be God, which He is! When He was struck "crucified", living water (John 4:10) for all humanity who would "believe" was poured out. Moses was told to speak to the Rock at Meribah (Numbers 20:8). As a prerequisite for Jesus to return, to save Israel during the Great Tribulation they must ask Him, (Luke 13:35). So by striking the Rock, Moses messed up God's model or type which would have modeded the 1st and 2nd comings of Christ.

So to counter this mistake by Moses, He was not allowed to take Israel into the Promised Land which is a type of Heaven, Moses represents the Law, only God's Grace gets you in Heaven "the Promised land, so Joshua took them in! Joshua is Hebrew for Jesus! The Law is the 1st five books of the Old Testament, called the Torah by the Jews, The very next book is "Joshua"

So you read this passage as an allegory for Israel's future rejection of Jesus? I'm sorry, but I don't buy it. Can you present more evidence that the rock symbolises Christ? What does it symbolise for the Law (Moses) to strike Christ (the rock)?
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curiousdanniiMay 31 '14 at 13:08

You guys made some good points on this article. Just wanted to add to something else to support this qiestion. Moses was also complaining when he said his comments. The Hebrew word for Complain means: To Remain or Remaining. Because of this the children of Israel remained in the wilderness for 40 yrs. Moses also complained and he remained. They were not able to enter the promise land because they were cursed by complaining, lack of faith, lack of obedience, bitterness, anger.. Etc. All these acts will hinder all believers to receive the breakthrough to receive the promises of God. Now these things were our examples, to the intent we should not lust after evil things, as they also lusted for. (1 Cort.10:8) Again, now all these things happened unto them for examples: and they are written for our instruction, upon whom the ends of the world are come. Wherefore let him or her that thinketh he or she standeth take heed lest he or she fall.(1 Cort.10:11-12)

Mosses was not punished for striking the rock instead of speaking to it. His sin is much larger than that.. His sin is that of blasphemy of the Holy Spirit.

Numbers 20:10 Then Moses and Aaron gathered the assembly together
before the rock, and he said to them, “Hear now, you rebels: shall
we bring water for you out of this rock?”

Moses is acting as if He and Aron are the responsible party for the miracles rather than acknowledging God as the cause. They are taking the credit when the credit belongs to God. Shall we bring you water from this rock yet again???? Rather than shall we bother God for water yet again? This is blasphemy. Now blasphemy is not forgiven so this sin of Moses may hold him out of the kingdom of God. Yet perhaps Moses pays for this sin by not being allowed into the promised land.

It is also why Jesus never claims that anything he does to be of himself. He acknowledges that nothing he does is of himself. He says the power is not his. Instead Jesus points to the Holy Spirit as the Active reason for all that he says and all that he had done. He claims that the Spirit is within him. He says the Father, as we know that to be the Holy Spirit, is with him and had not left him. He does what the Father shows him and says as the Father directs. It is establishing that He unlike Moses does things exactly as God instructs him to do.

Welcome to the site. Please see the faq and the tour page. This is a good first answer. To make it a bit better you should mention that Moses is present at the Transfiguration, so his punishment for blasphemy is not permanent. However, some might argue that the sin was not blasphemy at all, but pride.
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fredsbendApr 17 '13 at 22:52

There is something else hidden in the sentence when Moses striked the rock when he was told to speak to it. Here he was believing in himself his soul power, not god's power. His eyes were lifted from god and it was on his soul power. Hence he also says, "Hear now, you rebels: shall we bring water for you out of this rock?”

Remember Jeremiah 17:5 says

This is what the LORD says: "Cursed is the one who trusts in man, who draws strength from mere flesh and whose heart turns away from the LORD.

Moses by trusting in himself was inadvertently bringing on gods curse.

Dear brothers and sister we too some times end up trusting in our soul power, it is very subtle, but let us pray that when that happens god gives us wisdom to see it and repent.

The rock symbolizes Jesus Christ who is to be crucified once.
Striking the rock symbolizes crucifying Jesus Christ.
After crucifying Jesus Christ (striking the rock), we ought to speak (pray) for solutions.
However, Moses did strike (crucify) again and again!
No one can ever or should never try to change the plans of God!

Jesus is often represented as the unhewn Rock in scripture. For example Nebuchadnezzar's vision of the unhewn rock establishing an everlasting kingdom. There is a very clear link with the scene at Golgotha: Moses struck the Rock with a staff and water came out. The Roman soldiers 'struck' the side of Christ with a spear and water came out.
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Pete BNov 20 '14 at 9:30

I've usually heard the explanation as being that Moses struck the rock when God said to speak to it. And I don't doubt that his failure to follow instruction may have been a part of it. But it seems to me the key problem is that he said, "Shall WE bring water for you out of this rock". Rather than give glory to God, he tried to take credit for it himself. "God and I will do this."

What about 1 Cor 3:9a? "For we are God’s fellow workers." Seeing God as the only source of action seems in conflict with imago dei. There are actually three options: “Hear now, you rebels: shall { God, we, I } bring water for you out of this rock?” It seems like 'we' might actually be the correct choice! God wants to work with us, as Ezekiel 22:29-31 makes clear. Ezekiel 34 makes it clear that God is angry when humans don't do their part. 'I' is also clearly wrong, as it attempts the autonomy that Adam and Eve attempted.
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labreuerMay 23 '14 at 16:22

Paul writes (1 Cor 10.4) that the Rock was Christ, and (in accord with Jewish tradition) the same Rock (perhaps figuratively) actually followed Israel from Horeb (Ex 17 where Moses struck the rock) to Nebo (Deut 32 where he got in trouble for striking it again). In my view, the faithlessness of Moses was in not accepting that "the Christ suffered once for all."

Could you expand this? I'm interested in how you make the jump here? What did Moses know about Christ?
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wax eagle♦Sep 10 '13 at 19:53

Moses perhaps knew nothing about Christ, like Abraham knew nothing about Christ yet said 'a sacrifice will be provided' before offering Issac. It had a local meaning and a prophetic meaning which he may not have known himself at the time.
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Pete BNov 20 '14 at 9:23

The rock is indeed Jesus Christ who died once and for all for our sins. In the first instance God told Moses to take Moses' rod which brought judgement and hit the rock. It symbolises Jesus being punished instead of us. In the second instance God told Moses to take the rod from God's presence, which is the High priest' rod symbolising grace.As many have explained when Moses hit the rock when God told him to speak to the rock, Moses being the shepherd of the Israelites did not demonstrate God's grace as God intended, in the presence of the people. But he demonstrated judgement. As St. Paul says crucifying Christ again. Such leaders cannot lead their congregation into the promised land because they will only look at the judgement but not accept God's grace. Only through grace we shall enter into the rest of the promised land!

Note that although Moses hit the rock God did not withhold the water. So although as leaders we see results amidst our congregations be watchful of the message you give. If you don't preach the message of grace you cannot lead your flock to where God wants them to be. That's in the promised land. Praise be to God!

All the aforementioned answers were very correct. Just to add my own view point... The matter of Moses with God was simply what I call TOTAL obedience and also a failure to acknowledge God in the sight of the Israelites, as we all know that God says we should be perfect as He is. There is not 0.000001% imperfection in God, so 99.999% obedience is not of God (1John 1:5b). God could still have forgiven King Saul in 1 Samuel 15, but because he failed to carefully and totally obey God, God regretted selecting Saul in the first place.

God's standard in our service to Him is that we TOTALLY and CAREFULLY obey him, which is the simple definition of HOLINESS.

Welcome to C.SE. When you get the chance, please check out our tour and specifically How we are different than other sites. Please don't be offended by this, but your "own view point" isn't what we do here. I don't disagree with what you say, but we're generally looking for answers with support (and you do a decent job of that) and an established doctrinal perspective. I think you're heading in that direction, but just be aware of your sourcing. Thanks!
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Affable GeekNov 5 '13 at 15:01

A bit of confusion arises when the topic of giving glory to God arises. Giving glory is figuratively like using a highlight pen. It raises the visibility of the object or text, separates it (makes holy?).

The point in giving glory is to make sure that the cause of the good work is not missed: God. Not because God is a praise seeking ego maniac, but because He is the only source of good things. Depending on Him is everything, depending on anything else, futile. A very, very, important lesson.

How much glory must be given to God? Enough so that He is unequivocally identified as the cause of the good work:

Matthew 7:22-23 NET On that day, many will say to me, ‘Lord, Lord, didn’t we prophesy in your name, and in your name cast out demons and do many powerful deeds?’ Then I will declare to them, ‘I never knew you. Go away from me, you lawbreakers!’

Mark 9:39 NET But Jesus said, “Do not stop him, because no one who does a miracle in my name will be able soon afterward to say anything bad about me.